PSCI 22912 - Nuclear Politics of the Middle East

Course Credit: 1
Maximum Credit: 0

(GLIS, MENA)
Nuclear Politics of the Middle East In this class we will explore the politics of the Middle East as they have been shaped by and through nuclear weapons, nuclear power, the prospect of nuclear proliferation, and broader international treaties and norms governing these phenomena. While only one Middle Eastern country, Israel, currently possesses nuclear weapons, the politics of nuclear weapons and nuclear power have touched nearly every corner of the region. We will utilize comparative case studies to analyze the individual states’ experiences with nuclear weapons, as well as theories of international relations to consider how nuclear weapons has shaped regional interactions, in addition to Middle Eastern interaction with nuclear powers from around the world. Students should leave the course with a richer understanding of the political dynamics that govern Middle Eastern state interactions, and especially the role for nuclear weapons therein. Prerequisite(s): 1 100-level PSCI course; or Sophomore standing–Must be completed prior to taking this course. [C, HSS]